Kraken Robotics Launches Cutting-Edge Synthetic Aperture Sonar Service for Offshore Energy
Kraken Robotics is poised to unveil an innovative synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) service specifically designed for the global offshore energy industry.
Service Launch and Capabilities
Beginning in July 2025, Kraken’s commercial services division will make available the KATFISH towed SAS systems for rental.Initially introduced seven years ago, the KATFISH system has been utilized globally across various sectors, including mine countermeasures, essential underwater infrastructure assessments, and port surveys.
Advanced Technology and Benefits
This state-of-the-art system provides real-time imaging with a resolution of 3cm x 3cm and a detection range extending up to 200 meters on each side. It boasts some of the highest area coverage rates in the market. The accuracy of Kraken’s SAS technology minimizes project risks by enabling the distinction between artificial and natural objects, as well as the identification of small items in proximity to infrastructure.
Industry Insights and Future Demand
lynne Adu, Executive Vice President and chief Commercial Officer at Kraken, remarked, “The KATFISH has proven its effectiveness in the defense sector for years, and we are excited to introduce multiple assets to the commercial arena. SAS technology significantly enhances resolution and range compared to conventional sidescan sonar, and we are already witnessing considerable interest for applications such as pre- and post-offshore construction surveys and underwater infrastructure evaluations.”
Chris Almond, Vice President of Business Development at Kraken, noted, “In the next two decades, we anticipate a fivefold increase in the demand for commercial survey services within the offshore wind sector. Concurrently, we face the challenge of reducing our carbon emissions. The KATFISH system can cover larger areas more quickly than existing solutions, which not onyl cuts down on vessel time but also lowers carbon output and survey costs.”
Strategic Partnerships and Global Operations
Kraken’s SAS service has been chosen by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, the leading technology innovation and research hub for offshore renewable energy in the UK, as part of its Launch Academy initiative. This collaboration will provide Kraken with access to cutting-edge testing and research programs, fostering partnerships with industry leaders, academic institutions, and government bodies to improve SAS survey services for the offshore wind industry.
With its recent acquisition of 3D at Depth, Kraken Robotics has expanded its global offshore services, establishing bases in both the UK and the US. The SAS services will be operated from its Aberdeen office, which also offers advanced sub-seabed imaging solutions through its Sub-Bottom Imager™ and Acoustic Corer™ technologies.
